Lau, who’s indentured to Morphettville trainer Richard Jolly, won the Hawker Cup on Overstreet for Orroroo trainer Wally Bencic. He beat the John Hickmott-trained Danouli by just under a length, with Cerutty, from the Kylie McKerlie stable, another four lengths away.

Lau claimed a riding double at Hawker, also winning on White Jade for Bryan Holtham.

His good form continued on Sunday with another double at Strathalbyn.

He’s now won eight races in SA since making his debut at Clare on Easter Saturday.

DIAMOND IS PUNTER’S BEST FRIEND

DIAMOND Tycoon’s impressive win at Morphettville last weekend delivered the biggest punting collect of the day.

Bookmakers took a $5000 win bet on the Tony McEvoy-trained filly at odds of $2.45, netting a $12,250 dividend.

Other notable punting wins included $4000 on Showpero at $2.30 for a $9200 result, $2500 on Gracena at $3.30, an $8250 payout, and $1000 on Star Patriot at $7 for a $7000 collect.

Some of the big bets to miss the mark included $4500 on Pluckit ($3.20), $4000 on Labuan Star ($4.60) and Ancient Echoes ($2.10), $3000 on Experimentation ($4.20) and Lady of Crebilly ($3.60) and $2000 on Exalted Adam ($3.50), Good Luck Chuck ($8) and Survived ($7).

BURLES HANGS UP SADDLE

TASMANIAN trainer Mick Burles has followed his most famous galloper The Cleaner in to retirement.

Ill health has caught up with the 69-year-old who turned his $10,000 purchase into a fan favourite and two-time Cox Plater runner.

Together they won 19 races, including the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley twice, and more than $1.3 million in prizemoney.

In 2015, the The Cleaner was moved to trainer Peter Gelagotis by its owners, but he didn’t win another race and was retired.

MCDONALD’S ROYAL ASSIGNMENT

JAMES McDonald’s comeback will continue when he rides at the Royal Ascot meeting.

McDonald, who returned to riding earlier this month after serving an 18-month ban for a betting offence, has been booked by English trainer Charlie Hills for Equilateral in the Group One Commonwealth Cup.

Equilateral is an 8-1 chance in early markets and victory could put him in the frame for a slot in the $13 million Everest in Sydney in October. McDonald said he received a call from Hills on Wednesday night and jumped at the opportunity to ride Equilateral on June 22.